Barranquilla has become the starting point for one of President Abelardo de la Espriella’s toughest immigration measures yet. The government will begin coordinated operations this week to identify foreigners in irregular immigration situations, with deportation procedures expected to follow in qualifying cases.
Barranquilla Becomes the First Testing Ground
De la Espriella announced the measures during a security council held in Barranquilla over the weekend. He instructed Migración Colombia to coordinate with the Police to begin operations in the city.
The initial focus will be foreigners allegedly involved in criminal activities. Authorities will then verify the immigration status of people who are living in Colombia without the required documentation or legal status.
The president has made immigration control part of his broader security agenda. He said his government would put Colombian citizens first while taking a tougher approach to irregular migration.
Deportations Could Begin After Administrative Procedures
De la Espriella said foreigners involved in criminal activity or staying in Colombia without meeting immigration requirements should face the corresponding administrative procedures.
However, irregular immigration status does not automatically mean that a person has committed a crime. Authorities must distinguish between immigration violations and criminal offenses.
That distinction will be particularly important for Barranquilla’s large and diverse foreign community, which includes Venezuelans, international residents, digital nomads, tourists and business travelers.
Colombia’s Venezuelan Population in Focus
The announcement comes as Colombia continues to host millions of Venezuelan migrants. Data cited by Colombian media indicates that approximately 2.84 million Venezuelan citizens were in Colombia as of January 2026.
Around 82% were classified as having regular immigration status, while roughly 500,000 remained in an irregular situation.
The government’s new strategy could therefore have implications well beyond people suspected of criminal activity. Immigration checks may also affect foreigners whose permits, visas or other documentation are not in order.
What Foreign Residents Should Know
For expats and other international residents, the announcement reinforces the importance of maintaining valid immigration documentation in Colombia.
Foreigners living in Colombia should ensure that their visa or other immigration status remains current and that they comply with the conditions attached to their stay.
Meanwhile, the government plans to use Barranquilla as an early testing ground for a broader security strategy. Other announced measures include stronger action against extortion, theft, homicide and micro-trafficking.
The coming weeks will show how extensively the immigration operations are implemented and whether the Barranquilla initiative expands into a nationwide campaign.
